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| CATS Pounces Onto Arizona Broadway Theatre Stage |
 CATS, one of the world’s best-known and best-loved musicals, is being produced by the Arizona Broadway Theatre from February 26 through April 11, 2010.Composed by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS is an all-singing, alldancing spectacle that features the mega-hit song “Memory” and is based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. CATS opened in London’s West End and on Broadway in the early 1980s, and would go on to become a worldwide phenomenon. ABT’s production features original choreography by ABT’s Artistic Associate, Kurtis W. Overby, who also directed the production. CATS marks Overby’s second direction effort at ABT after directing last summer’s hit, The Taffetas. “The Taffetas was a great show to get my directing feet wet,” Overby stated. “I have been the resident choreographer here at the theatre over the past year, and it felt good to be at the helm of a full production. And to be able to direct CATS where my strength really lies is very exciting,” Overby continued. Hardly limited to a singular strength, Overby, a graduate of Louisburg College with a degree in dance performance, has performed with and choreographed for Carnival Cruise Lines, and performed and served as dance captain for the Broadway National Tours of Crazy For You and Gentleman Prefer Blondes. Overby made his debut at ABT in its first production, Anything Goes. “I knew at that time that there was a lot of potential in this new theatre company,” Overby remarked. “I remember being at the New York City dance call thinking that this is going to be something special. Now, five years later, I feel that ABT has assembled one of the strongest groups of dancers I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with, and I’ve worked with a lot of dancers,” Overby joked. “I’m thrilled to be working with this cast.” CATS has also provided an opportunity to further the collaboration between Overby and ABT’s Artistic Producer, Cassandra Norville Klaphake, who stars as Grizabella (made famous by Broadway veteran Betty Buckley). Previously, they both appeared onstage in ABT’s Kiss Me, Kate and more recently in Cabaret, where they shared the spotlight as the Emcee and Sally Bowles. “It takes a great deal of trust in and a respect for another’s artistic capabilities to make this kind of collaboration work,” Klaphake remarked in regard to taking direction from Overby while also being the show’s (and the theatre’s) artistic producer. “Thankfully, that exists in spades with us.” An ever-important aspect of CATS, a show that is all sung and all danced, is an element that brings it to life: the makeup! Under the watchful eye of award-winning costume and make-up designer, Martha J. Clarke, the cast has spent hours in make-up clinics to get just the right look for this production. “The look is so important to the show. Each cat has to have its own personality, and that has to be depicted in the makeup,” Clarke told the cast. Clarke is a firm believer that successful productions have design elements that work together. “I worked closely with Kimb Williamson (the show’s scenic designer) and Denise Wilcox (CATS’ lighting designer). We wanted to make sure we were in the same world,” Clarke mused. “With Kurtis’ artistic eye, I think that we--the production team--have created a solid and magical world that lived in Kurtis’ imagination.” Overby offered, “What makes CATS magical is not only the spectacle of the show, but also the family-friendly aspect of it. If we can get one child to embrace live theatre from this production, then I’ve done my job.” For information on how to experience the magic of CATS, call ABT at 623.776.8400. Performance-only tickets are also available, with seating a half-hour before curtain. CATS. The memories will last a lifetime.
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